One-Horned Rhinoceros

One-Horned Rhinoceros

Rhinoceros unicornis

One-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is native to Indian sub-continent and it is the largest rhino species in the world. One-horned rhinoceros population were severely depleted due to hunting and it is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red list.

Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna is famous for successful conservation breeding of one horned rhinoceros.

In the mid of year 1979, this park received one pair of rhino named 'Kancha' and 'Kanchi' from State of Assam. Both these rhinos were sub-adult. Almost after 3 years, in the year 1982 one rescued rhino (named Raju) from Bettiah forest (at present Valmiki Tiger Reserve) came to this zoo, which led to the start of conservation breeding of rhino in this park. In the year 1988 one female rhino (Hartali) took birth from successful conjugation of Raju and Kanchi.

Again in 1991, same pair of rhino bred again and one more female rhino was added in the list. The first two rhino of this park named Kancha and Kanchi finally lead to the birth of one male rhino in the year 1993. This showed that all rhino of this park are potential breeder.

Hartali the first rhino calf of this park has produced eight calf till date and she considered to be one of the most successful breeding female as far as captive breeding in rhino is concerned.

Park management is very sensitive towards inbreeding of rhino. So, to improve genetic diversity one male rhino 'Ayodhya' and one female rhino 'Gari' were brought to this Park under animal exchange programme from Delhi Zoo and San diago Zoo, U.S.A. respectively. Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna has provided rhino to Delhi, Kanpur, Ranchi, Hyderabad zoo and country like U.S.A. At present Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, have 5 male and 5 female rhinos.

Park management is always striving to sustain the captive one horned rhino population by providing natural environment in the form of muddy moat area, clean night house, etc.

About

The Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna was established as a Botanical Garden vide Government of Bihar, Forest Department's letter no. 1781V dated 13.4.1970 on a chunk of 34.00 acres land being part of the Governor’s campus.